Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2710, a school accountability/report card bill. The sponsor walked through a committee substitute that clarified the purpose of the report card, added an appeal process, changed the timing for appeals, set the top decile as the highest rating, removed the 95% testing participation penalty, shifted performance funding toward growth, added agricultural industry outcomes, and deleted an anonymous survey section and a provision members had objected to. Members discussed how letter-grade cutoffs would be set, whether the bill should include more detailed program information, and whether the new grade-level growth language was ready given funding and implementation concerns. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2710 do pass by a roll call of 16 ayes and 6 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2872, a literacy bill. The sponsor explained that the substitute kept the four approved screeners, retained the literacy commission, and softened the treatment of three-cueing by allowing it for comprehension but not for decoding. Members discussed retention provisions, possible parental consent language, additional exceptions for special circumstances, and whether the bill’s fiscal impact and implementation timing had been fully worked out. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2872 was voted do pass by a roll call of 20 ayes and no nays, with two present. Next, the committee heard a combined substitute for House Bills 2120 and 1698, a bullying/reporting measure. The sponsor said the substitute merged the bills, removed a second-degree harassment element, added a title reference to Sawyer’s Law, and changed reporting language from immediate notice to notice by the end of the school day or next school day if the incident occurred on a weekend. The bill handler said the goal was a version everyone could support and that it would require a legitimate investigation, reporting to the school board, and liability protection for teachers who follow policy. The substitute was adopted, and the combined House Committee Substitute for HB 2120 and HB 1698 passed unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2335, which would give school districts more flexibility over recurring teacher trainings. The sponsor said the bill would not eliminate required trainings, but would let districts rotate them after a teacher has completed them for three consecutive years, while still allowing administrators to require specific training when needed. Testimony from school administrators and teacher groups strongly supported the bill as a way to reduce repetitive compliance tasks and give teachers more time for planning and instruction, while one student witness raised concerns about ensuring staff still receive emergency and mental health training. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2918, the Cronkite New Voices Act, which would protect student journalists’ speech rights at public schools and colleges. The sponsor, student journalists, a journalism advisor, legal experts, and advocacy groups testified in favor, arguing that the bill would restore student press freedom while preserving limits for libel, obscenity, privacy, and disruption. Witnesses also discussed advisor protections, the role of student media in accountability, and whether the bill should apply to private schools. No vote was taken on HB 2335 or HB 2918 in the portion provided.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Urban Issues held a public hearing on House Bill 2292, sponsored by Representative Holly Jones. The bill is intended to encourage cross-reporting between child, elder, and companion animal abuse investigations, and to require related training for investigators and mandated reporters. Jones said the revised bill would limit the animal definition to dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, exclude livestock, and increase the training time from one hour to one and a half hours. She argued the measure would improve early detection of abuse and use existing agencies more efficiently. Supporters included representatives from Humane World for Animals, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Missouri Animal Control Association, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Wayside Waifs, and the St. Louis County Police Association. They said animal abuse often co-occurs with child, elder, and domestic abuse, and that animal control officers and social service workers are often the first to see warning signs. Several witnesses described cases where animal abuse revealed broader household violence, and some said the bill would improve reporting, collaboration, and early intervention. A Missouri Animal Control Association witness also said animal control officers are not law enforcement and need training to recognize hidden signs of abuse, while another witness said cross-training can be done at low cost. Opponents included the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, and Missouri Animal Husbandry Association. Their main concerns were that the bill could be read to affect commercial breeders or rural property owners, could create or expand authority for humane investigators or animal rights groups, and could impose unnecessary training and administrative costs. They argued animal abuse is already reported to law enforcement and that the bill should more clearly exempt livestock and commercial breeders. Some opponents also said the state should rely on law enforcement and the state veterinarian rather than animal welfare associations. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 1867 do pass by a 15-1 roll call. It then considered House Bill 2394, where a committee amendment changing “get” to “obtain” was adopted and rolled into a substitute. Testimony focused on efforts to work with plumbers and pipefitters on the bill’s scope, but the committee proceeded with the substitute, which passed do pass by a 10-7 vote. House Bill 2600 was then amended with clarifying language about petition signatures tied to the most recent gubernatorial election in the district, rolled into a substitute, and passed unanimously 17-0. The committee then held public hearings. House Bill 1906, sponsored by Rep. McGaugh, would remove township counties from a restriction so they can offer installment property tax payments like other counties. Support came from county collectors and a collector-treasurer, who said taxpayers want the option; one member suggested adding monthly payments as well. No opposition testified. House Bill 3003, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeyer, would require regular inspection and qualified testing of fire, smoke, and combination dampers under statewide standards, with documentation, reporting, and penalties for noncompliance. The sponsor and several witnesses from the fire protection and sheet metal industries said the bill would improve public safety and accountability; one opponent argued the certification standard was too broad, the penalties too steep, and the fiscal impact too high. The hearing also included discussion of hospital inspection cycles, local code variation, and the need for qualified inspectors. Finally, House Bill 2898 was heard. Rep. Owens described it as a revival of the land bank legislation previously enacted but struck down because of an unrelated amendment; the bill would restore land bank authority, expand eligibility beyond the original cities, and adjust St. Louis County appointment language to align with the county charter. Supporters from realtors, St. Louis County, municipal groups, and Springfield said it would help clear title, repurpose vacant properties, and return land to productive use, while one opponent argued the bill could weaken tax-delinquency protections and raise costs. No committee vote was taken on the public hearing bills, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing on House Bill 2898.

Summary: The committee first completed action on House Bill 3009, adopting an amendment, rolling the bill into a House Committee Substitute, and then voting do pass on the substitute by a 20-0 roll call vote. The meeting then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1963, which would reduce from five years to three years the amount of licensed practice required before certain social workers may supervise others. Representative Tara Peters said the change would help address Missouri’s behavioral health workforce shortage, especially in rural areas, and testimony from the National Association of Social Workers and Burrell Behavioral Health supported the bill as a way to remove a bottleneck without changing education or supervision-hour requirements. There was no opposition testimony on HB 1963. The committee then heard House Bill 2557, which would require a physician to be physically present in an emergency department during all hours of operation. Representative George Hruza argued the bill would improve patient safety and standardize emergency care, while noting possible telehealth accommodations for low-volume critical access hospitals. Supporters, including physicians and medical associations, said patients expect physician-led emergency care and that physician presence is the gold standard. Opponents, led by the Missouri Hospital Association and several rural hospital administrators, argued the mandate is not realistic given physician shortages, could force rural ER closures, and would reduce access to care; they emphasized that current hospital models rely on teams, telehealth, and transfer protocols. The bill drew extensive discussion but no vote was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 311, which would modernize Missouri’s bail bond laws by creating a professional board and tightening training, oversight, and recovery procedures. Representative Brandon Phelps said the industry itself wants clearer standards and that he may revise the bill in committee substitute form to merge the new board with an existing board to reduce costs. A bail bond industry representative testified in support, saying the profession wants higher standards and accountability. The chair then adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2116, which drew comments about children’s education and an amendment offered by Representative Hinman. Hinman explained the amendment would phase out the Missouri tax subtraction for contributions to non-Missouri 529 plans for new users beginning January 1, 2027, while allowing existing users to continue. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a vote of 11 yeas, 3 nays, and 1 present. Hinman also noted concerns from the investment community about the absence of an advisor-sold 529 option and urged the department to work toward restoring it. In public hearing, Representative Lane Roberts presented House Bill 1870, a garnishment and exemption update that would modernize long-outdated exemption amounts, tie some amounts to CPI adjustments, increase the homestead exemption, and create new procedures for garnishment of financial institution account funds. The Missouri Bankers Association supported the bill, saying it was the product of extensive work with stakeholders and would improve efficiency and reduce legal risk for banks, while also protecting debtors’ rights. Questions focused on joint accounts, business accounts, and notice to account holders; a private attorney speaking in opposition argued the bill could improperly shift burdens onto non-debtor account holders and raised concerns about tenancy by the entirety, corporate accounts, and equitable garnishment. Representative Castile then presented House Bill 2586, which would lower the minimum credit union membership share from $25 to $1 and allow credit union board and committee meetings and voting by electronic means. The Missouri Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying it would improve access for members who need the $25 and help boards meet despite weather or distance, while also aligning state law more closely with federal practice. Finally, Representative Oehlerking presented House Bill 3107, the “Safe Harbor” bill, which would shield financial institutions from civil liability under state law when they act in good faith reliance on written guidance from regulators, while excluding fraud, intentional misconduct, willful wrongdoing, and gross negligence. Credit union and banking representatives supported the measure as a defense against costly litigation based on compliance with required forms and guidance, while an opposing attorney argued the bill relied on nonpublic agency guidance, raised separation-of-powers concerns, and could leave consumers without recourse; witnesses also discussed possible examples such as overdraft fee litigation and the need for any guidance to be public and reviewable.

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further. The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 2699, which concerns offenses involving the judiciary. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and two amendments: one adding circuit clerks, deputy circuit clerks, court administrators, division clerks, and municipal clerks, and another adding court reporters who are active participants in courtroom activities. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call of six ayes, two noes, and two present; one member stated a personal interest and voted present. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2848, the so-called “mask intimidation” bill sponsored by Representative Dolan. The bill would create a Class C misdemeanor for intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening another person while concealing one’s identity with a mask or similar covering, with exceptions for legitimate uses such as medical, religious, holiday, and First Amendment-related activity. Supporters, including the Anti-Defamation League, said the bill would address masked intimidation by extremist groups and protect targeted communities; there was no opposition testimony. A public hearing followed on House Bill 2765, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would regulate intoxicating hemp beverages through a framework modeled on alcohol’s three-tier system. The bill would set licensing, testing, labeling, packaging, age-21 sales restrictions, and THC limits, and assign oversight to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Support came from the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association, Hemp Beverage Alliance, Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Torch Drinks, Total Wine, and others, who argued the bill would create needed guardrails, keep products away from minors, and preserve a regulated retail market; some witnesses also urged broader regulation of other hemp-derived products. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee concluded its hearing without taking final action on HB 2765.

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session and approved two bills. House Bill 1756, described as related to “June’s week,” passed unanimously 9-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 1828, which provides funds for memorials and museums dedicated to veterans, also passed unanimously, 12-0. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 2845, sponsored by Representative Lisa Durnell, to designate a memorial bridge for Jared Bennett near Willow Springs. Durnell explained that Bennett died in a 2002 automobile accident, that his family maintained a memorial and stretch of roadway through MoDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program for years, and that the bridge naming would honor his memory with signage paid for by private funds and no fiscal note. Jared Bennett’s father, Craig Bennett, testified in support and shared personal stories about his son, including his love of fishing. Committee members offered condolences and supportive comments, and one member requested copies of written stories about Jared for the record. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing on House Bill 2845 was closed with no further business.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 120-0. Members then used personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize several groups and visitors, including Alpha Phi Alpha members, students from multiple schools and programs, dental hygienists, public administrators, credit union representatives, National History Day participants, and others. One member also spoke emotionally about a relative killed in a domestic violence incident and requested a moment of silence in her honor. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, a large property tax reform package. The sponsor described it as the product of extensive statewide hearings and public testimony, aimed at stabilizing Missouri’s property tax system. The bill and amendments would, among other things, require clearer ballot language for tax measures, move tax-related ballot questions to November general elections, eliminate “no tax increase” wording, standardize ballot wording, address assessment and valuation rules, require physical inspections for certain commercial property assessment increases, allow quarterly tax payments in more counties, and make other technical changes. Members debated the size and scope of the bill, local control concerns, voter turnout and “voter fatigue,” and whether the changes were sufficiently vetted. Amendments were adopted to narrow the title to property taxation, add the ballot-language provisions, remove duplicative language, and exempt township counties so their levy elections could still occur on the schedule they need. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 1917, a targeted utility/economic development bill involving a Jefferson County water district. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a dispute in which a water district sought payment or infrastructure contributions from a company planning a roughly $400 million investment and about 250 jobs, despite the district’s inability to serve the site. Supporters said the bill would allow detachment of a ratepayer under specified conditions and prevent water districts from blocking development; the committee vote had been 15-0. Members raised concerns about the bill’s narrow, district-specific scope and possible litigation, but the House ultimately ordered the bill perfected and printed. The House also read three new bills for first reading and later recessed after announcements about committee meetings and a property tax discussion event with FFA students.

Summary: The committee first heard the State Auditor’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick described rebuilding the office after staffing had fallen to a historic low, explaining that the office has grown from 92.5 to 119 FTE but still needs several years to reach full staffing, especially at the manager level. He said most of the budget is payroll, noted the office’s use of lapsing general revenue while staffing is rebuilt, and outlined requests including core operating funds, a small sports betting audit NDI, and a $290,000 increase to the CPA stipend to address recruitment and retention problems. Members also discussed the auditor’s authority to audit state agencies and subrecipients, the office’s role in performance audits, and the meaning of “E” appropriations and the auditor’s recent general revenue conditions report. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 10, focusing on Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health issues. One witness from the American Heart Association supported continued funding for cardiac emergency response planning in schools, citing AEDs, CPR training, and about 480 schools served. Another witness from the Alzheimer’s Association urged rejection of a proposed $1 million reduction to the Missouri caregiver program, arguing it supports families caring for people with dementia and helps avoid more expensive institutional care. Most of the testimony concerned proposed cuts to developmental disability services, especially day habilitation and self-directed supports (SDS). Providers, family members, and workers said the proposed reductions would force service cuts, reduce wages, and threaten community-based care that keeps people at home and out of more costly facilities. They argued the cuts would shift costs to emergency, residential, or institutional settings and asked the committee to preserve current funding levels. Several members asked questions about provider rates, the share of services delivered by private providers, and the cost difference between SDS and institutional care. The hearing ended with the chair apologizing for earlier tension, explaining the schedule, and recessing the committee to return later because of House floor obligations.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2116, which concerned Missouri 529 tax treatment. Representative Hinman offered an amendment to phase out the Missouri tax subtraction for contributions to non-Missouri 529 plans for new claimants beginning January 1, 2027, while allowing prior users to continue within existing limits. The amendment and then a committee substitute were adopted, and the substitute was voted do pass by an 11-3-1 roll call. Representative Hinman also noted interest in the department re-engaging an advisor-sold Missouri 529 option to attract more in-state investment. The committee then heard House Bill 1870, a garnishment and judgment-debtor bill sponsored by Representative Roberts. The bill updates long-outdated exemption amounts, ties some exemptions to CPI adjustments, revises procedures for examining judgment debtors, and creates a new process for garnishment of financial institution account funds, with different effective dates for various provisions. Testimony from the Missouri Bankers Association emphasized that the measure was the product of extensive stakeholder work and was intended to modernize the law, protect protected benefits, and make garnishment administration clearer for banks. Questions focused on joint accounts, business accounts, and notice issues; a later opponent argued the bill could improperly burden joint account holders and raise concerns about equitable garnishment and corporate-veil issues. House Bill 2586, sponsored by Representative Castile, would lower the minimum credit union membership share from $25 to $1 and allow credit union board and committee participation by electronic means. The sponsor and the Missouri Credit Union Association said the change would improve access for low-income members and help boards meet despite weather or distance, while also aligning state law more closely with federal credit union practice. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3107, the “Safe Harbor” bill sponsored by Representative Oehlerking. The bill would shield financial institutions from civil liability when they act in good-faith reliance on written guidance from regulators, while excluding fraud, intentional misconduct, willful wrongdoing, and gross negligence. Supporters from credit unions and bankers said the bill would reduce costly litigation and prevent institutions from being punished for following regulatory instructions. Opponents argued the bill could hide nonpublic agency guidance, shift legal interpretation away from courts, and leave consumers without recourse; they suggested any protection should be narrower and more transparent. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in executive session with nine members present and first took up House Bill 2699, which concerns offenses involving the judiciary. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and two amendments: one adding circuit clerks, deputy circuit clerks, court administrators, division clerks, and municipal clerks, and another adding court reporters as covered court personnel. Representative Black stated he would vote present due to a potential personal interest. The committee then voted do pass on the House Committee substitute for HB 2699 by a roll call of six ayes, two noes, and two present. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2848, sponsored by Representative Dolan, described as a “mask intimidation” bill. Dolan said it would create a Class C misdemeanor for intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening another person while concealing one’s face with a mask or similar disguise, with exemptions for legitimate uses such as Halloween, medical, religious, and First Amendment-protected activity. The Anti-Defamation League testified in support, citing historical anti-mask laws and recent masked white supremacist demonstrations in Missouri as examples of the conduct the bill is intended to address. No witnesses testified in opposition. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2765, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would regulate intoxicating hemp beverages through a framework modeled on Missouri’s alcohol three-tier system. The bill would set licensing, testing, labeling, packaging, age-21 sales restrictions, and product limits, with the Department of Health and Senior Services handling registration and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control handling licensing and enforcement. Supporters included the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association, the Hemp Beverage Alliance, Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Total Wine and More, and a public advocate, who generally backed regulation but raised concerns about consumer safety, youth access, and the need to avoid driving hemp businesses out of the market. Some witnesses also urged broader regulation of other hemp-derived products and discussed federal uncertainty over hemp law. No opposition witnesses appeared, and the committee concluded the hearing without taking action on HB 2765.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard four House Resolutions authorizing use of the House chamber for youth civic-education events. HR 3997 would allow the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ CYCLE program to hold a mock legislative hearing and floor discussion for about 100 high school students on July 16. HR 4061 would authorize the YMCA Youth and Government program to use the chamber on three weekends in November and December for mock sessions involving executive, legislative, and judicial branches. HR 4062 and HR 4113 both concerned the Glory Awards on April 17, 2026, with Representative Thomas requesting chamber use for a District 19 event and Representative Banderman requesting use for a separate time block; the sponsors coordinated around a 30-minute overlap and described participation by multiple schools and roughly 100 to 150 students and families. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and voted do pass on all four resolutions. HR 3997 passed 7-0, and HR 4061, HR 4062, and HR 4113 each passed 8-0. The committee then took up House Bill 1940, which was also voted do pass consent 8-0 after brief questions about why it had not advanced elsewhere; the sponsor said it had not gained momentum in the other chamber and had not previously drawn opposition. House Bill 2395 generated the most discussion. Representative Matthiesen argued it should not be on the consent calendar because it made substantive policy changes, created registration and continuing-education requirements, and had concerns about the fiscal note and fee structure. Representative Faulkner responded that the bill would simply make septic-system testing uniform statewide by allowing soil analysis instead of perk tests, with no new qualifications required. After further discussion about why the bill was being handled as consent, the committee voted 7-1 to do pass consent, with Matthiesen voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum by recorded vote, then took up a House Committee Substitute combining several bills, including HB 1838 and related measures, all aimed at eliminating mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Missouri. The sponsor and supporters argued the inspections are outdated, costly, hard to access in rural areas, and not shown to reduce crashes or fatalities; they cited studies, federal reports, and examples from other states that have ended inspections. Opponents argued inspections still catch dangerous conditions like tire and brake wear, could reduce fatalities, and protect children, highway workers, and other motorists. Several members also raised concerns about specific provisions affecting street rods, custom vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and vehicles involved in accidents, while supporters said the bill still requires inspections after accidents or for salvage vehicles. House Amendment 1 was adopted to correct a drafting issue involving commercial vehicles and to remove an unintended extra inspection requirement. After extended debate and multiple inquiries, the House adopted the House Committee Substitute as amended and then perfected and printed it. The chamber then moved to announcements, including a birthday recognition and committee meeting notices, and adjourned until the next day with instructions that members be prepared to consider additional measures, including HJR 154, HB 254, and HB 1766.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several veterans- and military-related bills. Representatives Boykin and Irwin presented House Bills 2771 and 1993, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members called to state emergency duty. They said the bills would protect service members from eviction, lease issues, debt collection, and certain civil court actions while they are on duty, and noted Missouri is one of only two states without this statutory protection. Committee members and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself supported the bills, saying they would clarify existing protections and better match the longer and more frequent state activations Guard members now face. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 1869 from Representative Roberts, which would create a grant fund administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries. Roberts said the bill was prompted by a constituent whose family headstone had been disrupted by tree roots and natural causes. Members asked whether the program could also cover vandalism, cemetery organizations, or graves on private property, and whether grants would go directly to families or cemeteries. The Veterans Commission director supported the goal but warned the program would require funding, staffing, and a separate account, and said the commission is already stretched thin. Several members echoed concerns about underfunding but expressed support for honoring veterans’ graves. The final informational testimony came from Retrieving Freedom, a service-dog organization based in Missouri, and Compass Health’s firearm suicide prevention grant team. Retrieving Freedom described its two-year training program for service dogs that assist veterans and children with autism, emphasizing PTSD support, mobility help, and autism safety tasks such as tethering and alerting caregivers. Committee members asked about dog selection, accreditation, and service-dog fraud; the witnesses said they follow Assistance Dogs International standards and support stronger penalties for impersonation. Compass Health then described its firearm suicide prevention work, focusing on community education, family involvement, and practical conversations about safe firearm access rather than confiscation. The hearing ended after these informational presentations.